HB 1928 -- Private Prisons

Co-Sponsors:  Howerton, Relford, Patek, Fitzwater, Hartzler (124)

This bill establishes guidelines for the operation of private
prisons.  Private prisons are required to offer certain
correctional services in accordance with standards established
by the American Correctional Association, which include:
internal and perimeter security; work or training programs;
educational and vocational opportunities; drug and alcohol
treatment programs; rules regarding inmate discipline; and
adequate food, clothing, housing, and medical treatment for
inmates.

Private prisons will operate under the same guidelines as state
correctional facilities.  Offenses committed within private
facilities must be dealt with in the same manner they are in
state or local facilities.  Employees of private prisons may
operate in the same manner as state correctional officers.
Employees must meet or exceed the qualifications established by
the American Correctional Association.

Private providers may make recommendations concerning good time
adjustments, but may not calculate inmate release time; grant,
retract, or restore sentence reductions; or authorize any type
of leave.

Site selection criteria must meet all requirements prescribed by
the Bureau of Prisons and the American Correctional Association.

A private prison is not a public body and will not be considered
a part of the state's correctional system.  Inmate records from
a private prison are subject to public disclosure in accordance
with state and federal law.

All private providers operating in this state must adopt all
standards established by the American Correctional Association
and must receive accreditation from the association within 3
years.